Show bosses are keen to acknowledge the UK's sporting success at London 2012 during the first live edition of the series.

Athlete Mo Farah, cyclists Sir Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins, together with heptathlete Jessica, are among those who producers are aiming to get on the show to give pep talks to contestants in the week leading up to the first live show, however they are yet formally approach the stars.

Jess said: "This is definitely news to me but it sounds like a brilliant idea. I'm a massive fan of X Factor so we'll see."

For the programme the hopefuls will be performing songs with a sporting or winning theme such as Spandau Ballet's Gold, Survivor's Eye Of The Tiger and David Bowie'sHeroes.